Why is it that there is never enough time when you need it the most? I have known for about 6 months that I would be leaving this weekend to head back to Antarctica, but it seems like I left almost everything that I should have done in that 6 months until this week. I am going to work as hard as possible until it is time to go and hope that I remember to bring everything!
In this last month, I have had the excitement of finishing up my Masters degree…as well as deciding on which of many resulting scientific questions best suits my doctoral research yet to come. There is nothing quite like dove tailing two degrees! As part of this process I sat down with three of my graduate committee mentors and we discussed my accomplishments, objectives for the coming field season at Palmer Station, and how best to fit my own doctoral research into the broader activities and objectives of the research program. The good news is that we came up with a really promising plan of action.
This past Tuesday, in the seminar room of the Department of Biology I defended my Masters Thesis and it went off without a hitch. With my departure looming, I must be sure and get my Masters Thesis over to the graduate school for final approval. Luckily, I have some great roommates who say that they will be able to help me out. Without them, I am sure things would not run nearly as smooth as I work through the logistics of my departure for Antarctica!
Needless to say, I am going to be busy as a bee once I get down to Palmer Station, indeed, just as busy as I am right now getting ready to head south! The journey is about to begin…again!
Kevin